Mulcher Ground Helper

[Terra Firma Scott]

Ok-Just a poll, Some of you may have helpers and some not...

I have in the past few jobs had a Ground/saw guy running around trimming up trees w/pole saw or chain saw,dragging limbs and other debris into piles,acting as my eyes in certain situations,etc...stuff that allows me to run the machine and keep me from stopping and jumping out to move stuff,etc..

I only hire them when I forsee a full 8-10 hr day of work or more..Under the table wage...What would a fair wage be to pay him?? I know there are variables such as the areas in which we work and live as far as what wages pay for certain jobs but in all fairness and enough to want them to work for me again what wage would you guys say is good? Or should I cut him in on a percentage of the job price? Running around in the rain,cold snake infested woods is hard to put a number on as far as wage goes....

What yall think?

 

[MrJimi]

I would say, no matter what you charge, the employee is still doing the same job and the rest is up to you, going by the ?? work conditions he has to deal with ? I would not want to do it, I hate snakes
I would love to go to a site that you are cleaning up just to watch
I would like that
Jim

 

[Terra Firma Scott]

Yeah thats right I know you are local to me ..??..o.park?..ill keep it in mind ..

 

[MrJimi]

Yeah thats right I know you are local to me ..??..o.park?..ill keep it in mind ..

Ayup I would love to see one of these monsters in action I'll give ya my contact# in a PM
I'm just North of Tractor Supply just off RT 21/Blanding

 

[Willis Fecon Bushhogging]

Ok-Just a poll, Some of you may have helpers and some not...

I have in the past few jobs had a Ground/saw guy running around trimming up trees w/pole saw or chain saw,dragging limbs and other debris into piles,acting as my eyes in certain situations,etc...stuff that allows me to run the machine and keep me from stopping and jumping out to move stuff,etc..

I only hire them when I forsee a full 8-10 hr day of work or more..Under the table wage...What would a fair wage be to pay him?? I know there are variables such as the areas in which we work and live as far as what wages pay for certain jobs but in all fairness and enough to want them to work for me again what wage would you guys say is good? Or should I cut him in on a percentage of the job price? Running around in the rain,cold snake infested woods is hard to put a number on as far as wage goes....

What yall think?

This is what I do sometimes. Its a bad job as you know, to do this extra work. Im sitting on the Fecon machine (A/C and heat) and the extra guy is sweeting or cold (well not to cold if in Fla) I really dont know what the regular labor rates are in your area, but in my area, its $7+. Being its a bad job, I usually give them at least $15+ hr, if its a big job, I give them more. I know that other areas can pay more, but in this area thats real good.

 

[DirtyWorks]

When I started I had the same problem. What I found to be a workable solution was to let it be up to the landowner. Offer mulching as machine accessible only and with the additional "delux" package of hand cleaning of fence lines, around trees, water edges etc and charge the job. Tell them someting along the lines of "Mr So and So, Your property would look 100 times better if you allow us to do complete job and clean everything while we are on the site. We can accomplish this with the addition of my (ground labor/saw hand/helper), whatever for only 20 dollars per hour more. " Most people understand when you present it with tact. UPSALE every job! Even if they don't bite on the idea, it lets you get by with minimal time spent doing the handwork. Afterall you did offer it! You should pay whatever you feel is adequate. I started my main guy off with @75 per hour and taught him the way i want things done. He is now up to a bill a day and has steady work. Some days are a _____, Some days he only has to service out the machine and watch the show, but he is there nonetheless. Its hard to find the right help but when you do you'll appreciate it.Days with nothing to do are spent cleaning the tractors, washing the truck or helping me catch up on the honey-do-list. Hope this helps.Whatever you do, remember they are either an asset or a liability. They shouldn't "cost" you anything!

 

[Terra Firma Scott]

Dirty I like your thinking...never thought of it as an upsell...

Just figured the trimming and pulling up tight to trees,etc was an expected facet of the job..I always feel pressured and tend to get stressed to get the finishing touches done at the end of the day and probly do more than what the customer expects anyway...Want it to look good...But if I offer it as a side dish and they dont want it,-hey they were told about it.....

Thanx Willis FB I think im in the ball park with 20hr/200 day...

 

[DirtyWorks]

Scott, I ment to say $75 per day not per hour. Guess I should proof my replies before my guy reads this. The idea of it as an upsale is always a good idea. especially when the customer wants a "per hour" price. I try not to get into per hour only per service. They decide what they want after I offer the full service. I readily tell them not everyone can afford a perfect finish. it costs money and I will do whatever they can afford. Some people are more hands on and some don't want to or have the time to do anything. "CUSTOMER PERCIEVED VALUE" The job is only worth what they are willing to pay!

My ground help is truely non-replaceable (hope he dosent read TBN)

 

[tlbuser]

A word of caution here. Check with your lawyer and accountant. If your "day helper" gets injured and files for workmen's comp., you lose and THEY will get their money back. There might also be some additional penalties for not claiming him/her as an employee. Subcontractor status is getting to be an iffy thing too.

 

[Terra Firma Scott]

Ouch!...I have pondered that .....

 

[AlanB]

The whole 1099, employee vs. contractor and throw workmans comp into the mix gets to be a mess.

I think we have tried every variation that we can think of, including bonuses, peice work, percentage pay, hourly pay, sub contracting, partnerships, under the table, over the table, you name it, seems that we have tried and looked into it.

It is still the absolute biggest problem we face in our landscaping business is hiring and maintaining good help.

We pay between $8 and I think top has been $15 an hour.

I have seen my 11 year old son work circles around grown men making twice what he was paid.

If you get too the answer, let me know.

The IRS had a pretty good short blurb of a couple of questions that you needed to ask yourself if the person was a sub, or an employee.

 

[Cat_Driver]

..If your "day helper" gets injured and files for workmen's comp.,

Yep, they'll own your house, tractor, kids college fund etc.